Western Australia's Premier Roger Cook has launched a scathing attack on the Bureau of Meteorology, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the agency's botched $41 million website overhaul that has left critical users stranded.
The expensive digital transformation, intended to modernise Australia's weather forecasting platform, has instead become what the Premier describes as a "debacle" that's putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
Farmers and Emergency Services Left in the Lurch
Primary producers across WA's agricultural heartland have reported being unable to access crucial rainfall and weather data during planting seasons and harvest periods. The unreliable platform has left them making multimillion-dollar decisions based on guesswork rather than accurate forecasting.
Emergency services personnel have similarly expressed frustration, noting difficulties accessing real-time weather information during bushfire threats and severe weather events. The timing couldn't be worse, with WA facing increasingly volatile weather patterns.
A Costly Failure That's Costing More Than Money
While the $41 million price tag has raised eyebrows across the nation, the true cost extends far beyond taxpayer dollars. The Premier emphasised that when weather information becomes inaccessible, the consequences can be severe for both public safety and economic stability.
"This isn't just about a website that doesn't work properly - it's about ensuring our farmers can plan their seasons and our emergency services can protect communities," Cook stated during a press conference.
What Happens Next?
The call for investigation comes amid growing pressure from regional communities who rely heavily on accurate, accessible weather data. The Premier has indicated he will be taking the matter directly to the Federal Government, which oversees the Bureau of Meteorology.
Key questions remain about how such a significant investment could result in a platform that fails to meet the basic needs of its most important users, and whether the issues can be resolved before the next critical weather season begins.
